“Our nation needs a leader in the White House who understands the role of government and our economy. Governor Rick Perry has the strongest record of job creation, fiscal discipline, and executive branch leadership among the presidential candidates. As a governor, Rick Perry created a tremendous blueprint for job creation and as President, I know he will get America working again. I consider Governor Perry a friend and I am proud to endorse his campaign for President,” Sandoval wrote on his Facebook page.

Perry has yet to set foot in Nevada this campaign season, but he has visited several western states, including California and Colorado.

He issued a statement on Tuesday saying, ”I am honored to receive Gov. Sandoval’s endorsement and am thankful for his support as I travel the country sharing my vision for how we will get America working again.”

U.S. House of Representatives(CARSON CITY, Nev.) -- Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval announced Wednesday that he would appoint Congressman Dean Heller, R-Nev., to the U.S. Senate as a replacement for Sen. John Ensign.

"The people of Nevada deserve a new senator who can begin work immediately," Sandoval said in a statement Wednesday. "Too many important issues face our state and our nation to name a caretaker to this important position; Nevada needs an experienced voice in Washington, D.C."

Gov. Sandoval highlighted Heller's 12 years as a member of Nevada state legislature. Heller is currently serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Sandoval also described Heller as a "fiscal conservative who believes in limited government."

Heller's appointment comes after Ensign's recent resignation. After first claiming in March that he would not seek re-election in 2012, Ensign announced his resignation from his office last week.

Ensign has been the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee regarding his extramarital affair with the wife of his former top aide.

Sandoval indicated Wednesday his hopes for a smooth transition.

"Recognizing that this appointment will create a vacancy in the office of the U.S. Representative from Nevada's Second Congressional District, I pledge to work closely with Secretary of State Ross Miller on the time of the upcoming transition and resulting special election."